I have read a report in the Watford Observer of an appeal by an applicant that has been with the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, after Watford Borough Council turned down an application last month to demolish the Sun Clock Tower (Bid to demolish Clock Tower goes to appeal, April 9, 2021).

As an old employee of Sun Printers, I do hope the applicant who submitted the application to Watford council to demolish the Sun Clock Tower and Extension in Ascot Road has second thoughts regarding his appeal.

In the applicant’s representations to the inspectorate, the applicant is very selective and cherry picks regarding the clock tower’s present condition.

The beautiful art deco designed clock tower, with its pagoda-like designed green tiled roof (with the wording ‘Sun’ emblazoned on the tower) is very conveniently overlooked in the applicants’ observations of the tower. Quite significantly, the applicant pays no attention to the concerns of local people and their desire to respect, recognise and preserve the town’s proud printing history and heritage, and the historical significance of a once great printing company called Sun Printers that had existed in West Watford for nearly one hundred years.

Watford’s MP Mr Dean Russell, who sits on the back benches in the House Of Commons, is in the ideal position to now have some input in to saving the Sun Clock Tower, and I implore him to help ensure that the last piece that is left of Sun Printers continues to remain standing in West Watford.

Ernie MacKenzie

Gammons Lane, Watford